There are a couple of opportunities for training in January. KPMA is having a training meeting in Highland Heights, Kentucky on January 30, 2014. You should have received an e-mail or mailing about this meeting. Also the Bowling Green folks are hosting a training meeting on January 23 in Bowling Green.

The KPMA "IPM in Schools" committee met on December 3 to begin the process of revising the current regulation. The meeting was very productive and we hope to have a proposal ready by the first of the year. Stay tuned for updates on this important revision to our regulation.

I would like to take moment to thank the entire NPMA staff, especially Andrew Architect, Gary McKenzie, and Bob Rosenberg for all their hard work in managing KPMA's affairs. The relationship with NPMA has been highly successful which is evidenced by the routine newsletters, event and special notifications, and other information provided by the folks at NPMA.

If anyone has any interesting news regarding their company for submission in the KPMA newsletter, please forward the information to me at donnieblake@opcpest.comand I will forward the information to NPMA for inclusion in the next newsletter.

On behalf of the KPMA Board of Directors, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. With our busy lifestyles, the holidays are an opportunity to spend time with friends and family. We should never take these special times we spend with our loved ones for granted. With the loss of their granddaughter and niece, Chelsea Stillwell, this will be a difficult holiday season for Roy and Shawn Rich. Our thoughts are with the entire Rich family during this difficult period. When I visited my mother at the nursing center yesterday an elderly woman leaned over to me and said, "Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not here, so take the time to enjoy today." So, as we get together with friends and family during this holiday season, remember to take some time to give your children, grandchildren, friends and family members an extra hug and cherish the memories of your time together.

Thanks again for allowing me to serve as President of KPMA.

Sincerely,

Donnie Blake

KPMA President

News From National

Register Today for KPMA's January Recertification Meeting

The Kentucky Pest Management Association (KPMA) in cooperation with the Kentucky Department Of Agriculture Environmental Services and the University of Kentucky Entomology Department are proud to present the first regional recertification meeting of 2014. Join us on January 30 and earn credits in Kentucky and surrounding states. Credits have been applied for from KY, IN, MO, IL, VA, OH, WV, & TN.

University of Kentucky - Campbell County Extension Office

3500 Alexandria Pike

Highland Heights, KY 41076

Registration FeesKPMA State or National Joint Members - $15.00Non KPMA, Joint Members - $85.00

On Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 8am - 4pm KPMA members will be hosting a training class at the WKU Ag Expo Center. If you would like to sign up for this great educational opportunity please click here.

National Media Campaign Urges Ban of Neonicotinoids

Save-Bees.org, a coalition of four nonprofit organizations, has embarked upon a national media campaign to address the decline in pollinators due to what they identify as "bee-harming pesticides." Their efforts began recently with full-page ads that ran in seven newspapers including the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Des Moines Register, the Boston Globe and Politico, a publication geared toward Members of Congress and other policymakers. Read more...

NPMA invites you to join us January 21-23 for the redesigned 2014 Eastern Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tarrytown in Tarrytown, NY. Conference highlights include a new day pattern, improved social functions, an enhanced educational program, more quality time with exhibitors and a Wednesday night networking party open to both exhibitors and attendees. This is an event you won't want to miss!

There are currently 28 job opportunities posted from 18 different pest management employers on the recently launched NPMA Career Center. With its focus on pest control industry companies and professionals, the Career Center offers members, and the industry at large, a highly targeted resource for online recruitment. Visit the Career Center today to browse and post jobs!